NOAA Fisheries Directorate

NOAA Fisheries’ directorate includes our top agency leaders and support staff. Our leadership oversees all regulatory actions, the science that supports management, and agency operations.

Our directorate support team are the key liaisons coordinating the agency's mission across NOAA Fisheries and up to NOAA and the U.S. Department of Commerce. The team includes:

• Brianne Szczepanek, Chief of Staff 

• Spencer Showalter, Advisor to the Assistant Administrator (Acting)

• Maureen Trnka, Ph.D., Senior Advisor for Regulatory Programs

• Lindsey Kraatz, Ph.D., Senior Science Advisor

• Carden Barkley, Advisor to the DAA for Operations (Acting) and 2023 Knauss Fellow

• Ann Williamson, Advisor to the Chief of Staff (Acting)

• Samantha Berkowitz, Senior Legislative Affairs Advisor and Rollout Coordinator

• Alanna Greene, Legislative Affairs Advisor

• Matt Ellis, Correspondence Specialist 

Senior Advisors

Our enterprise also includes senior advisors in key areas:

• Russ Dunn, National Policy Advisor for Recreational Fisheries

• Jason Link, Ph.D., Senior Scientist for Ecosystem Management

• Doug Lipton, Ph.D., Senior Research Economist

• Rick Methot, Ph.D., Senior Scientist for Stock Assessments

• Michael Rubino, Ph.D., Senior Advisor for Seafood Strategy

• Mike Tosatto, Senior Advisor for Permitting and Efficiency

• Katherine Westfall, Senior Advisor for Offshore Wind